The potential effects of the combination (Cytidine, Uridine and Zinc) on gut microbiota and clinical parameters of healthy rats

Abstract Background/Aims As healthy gut flora contributes to mammalian health, the focus of this study is to investigate the effect of the combination of (Uridine, Cytidine, and Zinc) compared to individual supplements on the diversity of gut microbiota in healthy rats, and on other clinical parameters. Methods The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to study the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota. Liver enzymes were monitored by measuring serum level of (ALP and ALT), serum fasting blood glucose level, latency to fall, index of nociception and body weight were monitored. The previously mentioned analysis was done to study the effect of orally taken combination of (Uridine, Cytidine and Zinc) and the separate intake of these supplements on gut microbiota and other parameters in 35 healthy white Wistar rats for six weeks. Results The study findings showed that both the combination and the individual supplements enhanced the abundance of Clostridia and decreased Bacteroidia. Clostridia: Bacteroidia ratio increased from 1:2.5 to 1:1.2 by the last day of treatment in the combination group. Moreover, combination supplement reduced fasting blood glucose level (P < 0.0001), improved rats’ motor activity (P < 0.05), reduced nociception Index (P < 0.0001) and decreased the ALP liver enzyme level in healthy rats (P < 0.05). Conclusions The studied combination supplement was found to be safe and no harmful change on gut microbiota was noticed. This was clear from the normal level of the tested clinical parameters such as fasting blood glucose level and motor activity.